Manchester United loanee Antony Dos Santos has revealed that he considered retiring from football during challenges off and on the pitch in Manchester.
Antony completed a loan move to Real Betis in the second half of the season, two months after the appointment of Ruben Amorim. Antony is now a different player compared to what everyone saw at Manchester United in past seasons.
The Brazilian winger joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2022 for a fee worth over 100 million euros. He managed 12 goals for the Red Devils during his time at the club and was branded a flop as he failed to meet expectations.
Playing for Manchester United comes with a lot of pressure, and some players struggle to cope with the pressure that comes with wearing the shirt, as the expectations are high.
Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, Antony got emotional during the interview as he explained what he went through during his stay at Manchester. Erik ten Hag also revealed during his time at the club that Antony’s form was impacted by off-field problems.
“I always say that I had good moments, but I had very difficult moments too. Not only on the field but off it. People who ended up disturbing me a lot mentally, Antony toldย TNT Sports Brazil.
“I went through some very difficult times there that ended up affecting me a lot. But I am very grateful even for these difficult moments that I went through. Today, I feel much more mature, much more prepared, and I feel much better.
“It was a moment when I thought about stopping playing. I no longer felt that desire to play football because of everything I was going through, because of all the accusations, and because I had remained silent for so long.
“[My career] has changed a lot [at Betis]. It changed a lot because I needed to find myself, for everything I went through there in my personal life. I wanted to do things, but it seemed like it wasn’t happening because I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t feeling that desire to play football anymore, and I needed to find myself.
“Playing football was always something that I loved, and I went through difficult times when I didn’t feel that pleasure anymore.
“I would always talk to my brother, I used to say, ‘I can’t do it anymore, I can’t do it anymore’. He said: ‘Hold on a little longer and things will change’.
“I even get emotional because it was very difficult for me. Only I know what it was like inside the house, not even having the strength to play with my son, having days without eating, staying in my room.
“It was very complicated, but with the help of my family with the help of God, I managed to turn things around. I’m already very happy here.”
Antony has played a key role in Real Betis’ success this season, since he joined the club in January, and will face Chelsea on Wednesday in the Conference League final, hoping to lift the trophy.
“He wanted revenge at Betis, and he did it in a way. We know he can do it, but it is not easy when you pay โฌ100M for a player. He is a great player, and it was a good time in Betis improving in his career, Real Betis manager Pellegrini on Antony ahead of the final.
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